JP2005348067A - Image output system and image output method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image output system and an image output method for discriminating whether or not the output color of an output apparatus discriminates whether or not the output color satisfies a prescribed reference and outputting the admission decision result onto an output product in a visible way. <P>SOLUTION: The image output system includes: a color reference storage means (16) for storing the value of a color characteristic of the reference of the color characteristic determined for a reference color; a measuring meter (3) for measuring the reference color outputted from the image output apparatus (2); an admission decision means (17) for comparing the measured value of the reference color measured by the measuring meter with the reference value stored in the color reference storage means to carry out admission decision; an admission decision result storage means (15) for storing the admission decisions results; and an image output control means (12) for outputting a color image based on the image data to a recording medium and outputting the stored admission decision result in a visible way as its control. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image output system including an image output device that outputs a color image based on image data.

  Conventionally, in the proofreading process in the printing process, (1) confirmation of internal mistakes at the work site, that is, internal school, (2) external school to be submitted to the orderer and designer for confirmation of finishing, (3) captain of the printing press On the other hand, a color proof that is a test print is output mainly for three uses of a print sample provided as a sample of the final printed matter.

  In proofreading, such a color proof is used to check whether there is a mistake in the layout of the original film, whether there is a mistake in color, whether there is a character error, etc. In this case, adjustment is performed so that the print color matches the color of the print sample.

  Therefore, it is desired that the color and density of the color proof output from the output device satisfy a predetermined standard. Therefore, for example, by providing an ICC profile for color management of a printing machine or printer as an output device based on the color measurement result of the color patch of the output device to be received, Some perform color management so that the output color satisfies a predetermined standard (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-46794 A

  However, even if color management as described above is performed, it is not possible to determine whether or not the output device is color managed as described above only by looking at an output product such as a color proof. Whether or not the color management is performed needs to look at the separately recorded one.

  Even if the output device can be determined as a color-managed output device, the output color may change due to changes over time, and it is necessary to determine when to perform the color management work described above. However, the judgment was not easy.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to determine whether or not the output color of the output device satisfies a predetermined standard, and the pass / fail determination result is displayed as a color proof or the like. An object of the present invention is to provide an image output system and an image forming method capable of easily determining whether or not the color is managed by outputting the output on the output object so as to be visible.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention described in claim 1 is an image output system including an image output device that outputs a color image to a recording medium based on image data, and a reference for color characteristics defined for a reference color Reference value storage means for storing values, measurement means for measuring color characteristic values of reference colors output from the image output device, measurement values of the reference color measured by the measurement means, and reference value storage means A pass / fail judgment means for comparing the reference value stored in the
A determination result storage means for storing the pass / fail determination result and a color image based on image data to the recording medium and a stored pass / fail determination result to be visible to the image output device. And image output control means for controlling.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image output system including an image output device for outputting a color image to a plurality of types of recording media based on image data, wherein a reference color is determined for each type of the recording medium. Reference value storage means for storing a reference value of color characteristics, measurement means for measuring the value of the color characteristic of the reference color output by the image output device to each type of recording medium, and the measurement measured by the measurement means Pass / fail determination means for comparing the measured value of the reference color of each type of recording medium with the reference value of each type of recording medium stored in the reference value storage means, and the type of the recording medium And a determination result storage means for storing the pass / fail determination result in association with each other, and a color image based on the image data is output to the image output device using any of the plurality of types of recording media It is characterized by comprising an image output control means for controlling to output Rutotomoni the stored type of acceptance judgment result of the recording medium used the possibilities visible.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the determination result storage means further stores incidental information related to the pass / fail determination result, and the image output control means stores the incidental information in addition to the pass / fail determination result. The image output device is controlled so as to be output in a visually recognizable manner.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the supplementary information includes the date and time when the pass / fail determination is performed, the measurement value used for the pass / fail determination, the reference value used for the pass / fail determination, or the measurement used for the pass / fail determination. It is at least one or a plurality of values indicating a difference between the value and the reference value used for the pass / fail judgment.

  The invention according to claim 5 further includes selection input means for inputting a selection as to whether or not to output the pass / fail determination result in a visually recognizable manner, wherein the image output control means is the selection input means. The control is performed when a selection for outputting the pass / fail judgment result so as to be visible is input.

  The invention described in claim 6 is an image output system that is installed at each site and includes a plurality of image output devices that output color images to a recording medium based on image data, the plurality of image output devices Reference value storage means for storing a reference value of color characteristics determined for a reference color for each device type of the plurality of image output devices connected via a network, and each image output transmitted from the image output device side The measurement value obtained by measuring the color characteristic value of the reference color output by the device and the device type of each image output device are received, and the received measurement value and the reference value storage unit store the received measurement value. Pass / fail determination means for comparing the received reference values of the respective device types and determining pass / fail, and the image output device and the pass / fail determination result are stored in association with each other. A determination result storage unit; and a determination information transmission unit that receives an inquiry about a pass / fail determination result for the image output device from the image output device side and transmits determination information indicating a pass / fail determination result for the image output device of the inquiry. The image output device includes a management server that outputs a color image based on image data to the recording medium and outputs a pass / fail judgment result indicated by the received judgment information in a visually recognizable manner.

  The invention according to claim 7 is an image output system that includes a plurality of image output devices that are installed at each site and output color images to a plurality of types of recording media based on image data. A reference value storage unit connected to the output device via a network, and storing a reference value of a color characteristic determined for each type of the recording medium with respect to a reference color for each device type of the plurality of image output devices; Measured values obtained by measuring the color characteristic values of the reference colors output by the respective image output devices from the device side to the respective types of recording media, and the device type and recording of the image output device used for the measurement Receiving the type of medium, the received measurement value of the received device type stored in the reference value storage means and the received measurement type A pass / fail determination means for comparing the values to determine pass / fail, a determination result storage means for storing the image output device, the type of the recording medium, and the pass / fail determination result in association with each other, and the image output device side A determination of accepting an inquiry about the result of pass / fail judgment regarding the type of recording medium used for output by the image output device from the image and transmitting determination information indicating the result of pass / fail judgment regarding the type of recording medium of the image output device And a management server having an information transmission means, wherein the image output device outputs a color image based on image data to the recording medium and outputs a pass / fail judgment result indicated by the received judgment information in a visible manner. It is said.

  In the invention according to claim 8, the determination result storage means further stores incidental information related to the pass / fail determination result in association with each other, the transmitted determination information further indicates the incidental information, and outputs an image. The control means outputs the incidental information in a visually recognizable manner in addition to the pass / fail judgment result.

  In the invention according to claim 9, the incidental information includes the date and time when the pass / fail determination is performed, the measurement value used for the pass / fail determination, the reference value used for the pass / fail determination, or the measurement used for the pass / fail determination. It is one or a plurality of values indicating a difference between the value and the reference value used for the pass / fail determination.

  The invention according to claim 10 further includes selection input means for inputting a selection as to whether or not to output the pass / fail determination result in a visually recognizable manner, so that the pass / fail determination result can be visually recognized by the selection input means. The output is performed when a selection to output is input.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image output method in an image output system including an image output device for outputting a color image to a recording medium based on image data, wherein a reference value of a color characteristic defined for a reference color is obtained. A step of storing, a step of measuring a value of a color characteristic of the reference color output by the image output device, and a pass / fail judgment by comparing the measured value of the reference color and the stored reference value And a step of storing the pass / fail judgment result, and outputting a color image based on the image data to the recording medium and outputting the stored pass / fail judgment result to the image output device in a visible manner. And a step of controlling.

  The invention according to claim 12 is an image output method in an image output system including an image output device for outputting a color image to a plurality of types of recording media based on image data, wherein the type of the recording medium is used for a reference color. Storing a reference value of a color characteristic determined for each, a step of measuring a value of a color characteristic of a reference color output by the image output apparatus to each type of recording medium, and the measured type of each Comparing the measured value of the reference color of the recording medium with the stored reference value of each type of recording medium, and determining the pass / fail judgment, and the type of the recording medium and the pass / fail judgment result Storing, outputting to the image output device a color image based on image data using any one of the plurality of types of recording media, and storing the used description. It is characterized in that it comprises a step of controlling so as to output the type of acceptance judgment result of the medium can be visually recognized.

  The invention according to claim 13 is an image output method in an image output system that includes a plurality of image output devices that are installed at each site and output a color image to a recording medium based on image data. In the management server connected to the image output device via a network, a step of storing a reference value of a color characteristic determined for a reference color for each device type of the plurality of image output devices, and the image output device side Receiving a measurement value obtained by measuring a color characteristic value of a reference color output from each image output device and a device type of each image output device; and each received measurement value and the stored received The step of comparing the reference values of the respective device types to make a pass / fail determination, and the image output device and the pass / fail determination result are stored in association with each other. Receiving a query of a pass / fail determination result for the image output device from the image output device side, and transmitting determination information indicating a pass / fail determination result for the image output device of the query, The image output apparatus includes a step of outputting a color image based on image data to the recording medium and outputting a pass / fail judgment result indicated by the received judgment information in a visually recognizable manner.

  The invention according to claim 14 is an image output method in an image output system that includes a plurality of image output devices that are installed at each site and output color images to a plurality of types of recording media based on image data. In the management server connected to the plurality of image output devices via a network, storing a reference value of color characteristics determined for each type of the recording medium for a reference color for each device type of the plurality of image output devices A measurement value obtained by measuring the color characteristic value of the reference color output from each image output device to each type of recording medium transmitted from the image output device side by a measuring unit, and the image output device used for the measurement Receiving the device type and the type of the recording medium, and receiving the measured values received and the stored device type received. Comparing the reference value of the type of the recording medium to determine pass / fail, storing the image output device, the type of recording medium, and the pass / fail determination result in association with each other, and outputting the image A step of accepting an inquiry about the result of pass / fail judgment regarding the type of recording medium used by the image output device from the apparatus side, and determination information indicating the result of pass / fail judgment regarding the type of recording medium of the image output device of the inquiry is transmitted. The image output apparatus includes a step of outputting a color image based on image data to the recording medium and outputting a pass / fail judgment result indicated by the received judgment information in a visible manner. .

  According to the image output system of the first aspect, it is possible to determine the pass / fail of the color output by the image output apparatus, and to output the pass / fail determination result together with the image so as to be visible. As a result, it is possible to determine whether the image output apparatus is color-managed by looking at the output.

  According to the image output system of claim 2, it is determined for each recording sheet that outputs the pass / fail of the color output by the image output device, and the pass / fail determination result is output on the recording medium together with the image for each recording sheet. can do. Accordingly, it is possible to determine for each recording sheet whether the image output apparatus is color-managed by looking at the output product.

  According to the image output system of the third aspect, the incidental information related to the pass / fail determination result in addition to the pass / fail determination result can be output so as to be visible.

  According to the image output system of the fourth aspect, when the date and time when the pass / fail determination is performed is output in a visually recognizable manner, it becomes an indication of the work execution time for color management. In addition, the measurement value used for the pass / fail determination, the reference value used for the pass / fail determination, or the difference between the measurement value used for the pass / fail determination and the reference value used for the pass / fail determination is output in a visible manner. The level of the output color of the output device can be grasped quantitatively.

  According to the image output system of the fifth aspect, it is possible to select whether or not to output the pass / fail judgment result so as to be visible.

  According to the image output system of claim 6, the management server determines pass / fail of the color output from the image output device installed at each site, and provides the pass / fail determination result, so that the image output device At the same time, the pass / fail judgment result can be output on the recording medium so as to be visible. As a result, it is possible to centrally manage the status of the output colors of the image output devices installed at each site, and further to determine whether the image output device is color-managed by looking at each output product.

  According to the image output system of claim 7, the management server determines the pass / fail of the color output by the image output device installed at each site, and outputs the pass / fail determination result for each of the recording papers. By providing, it is possible for the image output device to output the pass / fail determination result together with the image for each recording sheet so as to be visible. As a result, the status of the output color for each recording sheet of the image output apparatus installed at each base is centrally managed, and further, the output sheet is viewed to determine whether the image output apparatus is color managed. Can be judged for each.

  According to the image output system of the eighth aspect, the incidental information related to the pass / fail determination result in addition to the pass / fail determination result can be output so as to be visible.

  According to the image output system of the ninth aspect, by outputting the date and time when the pass / fail determination is performed in a visually recognizable manner, it becomes an indication of the work execution time for color management. In addition, the measurement value used for the pass / fail determination, the reference value used for the pass / fail determination, or the difference between the measurement value used for the pass / fail determination and the reference value used for the pass / fail determination is output in a visible manner. The level of the output color of the output device can be grasped quantitatively.

  According to the image output system of the tenth aspect, it is possible to select whether or not to output the pass / fail determination result so as to be visible.

  According to the image output method of the eleventh aspect, it is possible to determine the pass / fail of the color output by the image output device, and to output the pass / fail determination result together with the image so as to be visible. As a result, it is possible to determine whether the image output apparatus is color-managed by looking at the output.

  According to the image output method of the present invention, it is determined for each recording sheet on which the pass / fail of the color output by the image output apparatus is output, and the pass / fail determination result is output on the recording medium together with the image for each recording sheet. can do. Accordingly, it is possible to determine for each recording sheet whether the image output apparatus is color-managed by looking at the output product.

  According to the image output method of the thirteenth aspect, the management server determines pass / fail of the color output by the image output device installed at each site, and provides the pass / fail determination result, whereby the image output device At the same time, the pass / fail judgment result can be output on the recording medium so as to be visible. As a result, it is possible to centrally manage the status of the output colors of the image output devices installed at each site, and further to determine whether the image output device is color-managed by looking at each output product.

  According to the image output method of claim 14, the management server determines whether or not the color output from the image output apparatus installed at each site is output for each recording sheet, and the pass / fail determination result for each recording sheet is obtained. By providing, it is possible for the image output device to output the pass / fail determination result together with the image for each recording sheet so as to be visible. As a result, the status of the output color for each recording sheet of the image output apparatus installed at each base is centrally managed, and further, the output sheet is viewed to determine whether the image output apparatus is color managed. Can be judged for each.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of an image output system and an image output method according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  A feature of the present invention is that when outputting an output product, for example, a color proof, from the output device as a test print of image data during the period from receipt of a print order to completion of printing, image data is output, The result is that the determination result of the output color of the output device is output in a visually recognizable manner.

[First Embodiment]
(System configuration)
First, the control configuration of the image output system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the system configuration of the image output system. As shown in FIG. 1, the image output system includes a work terminal 4 (three units 4a, 4b, and 4c in FIG. 1) that generates image data to be output by the image output device 2 and transmits the image data to the control device 1. Image output device 2 that outputs an image to a recording sheet (recording medium), and image output control of image output device 2 so as to output an image based on image data transmitted from work terminal 4 via network N And a colorimeter 3 as a measuring means for measuring the color and density of the color patch P output from the image output device 2.

  The network N connects computer systems, terminals, and data communication facilities to each other, and may be a wired connection such as a dedicated line or a public line, or a wireless connection via a communication satellite or the like. This also includes the so-called Internet.

  The image output device 2 feeds a recording sheet (not shown) and further forms an image on the recording sheet and outputs it, an operation panel (not shown) for performing various operations and inputs, and the image output device 2 It is configured to include a control unit (not shown) that controls the whole, receives image data transmitted from the control device 1, and outputs an image.

  The work terminal 4 is a so-called PC (Personal Computer), which includes application software, executes the application software to create image data, displays a print screen for executing image output, and uses the image output apparatus and output. It has a function of designating the type of recording paper, the size of the recording paper, and the like, attaching it to the header portion of the image data, etc., and sending it to the control device 1 connected to the image output device 2 together with the image data.

  The control device 1 is a so-called computer, and includes an input unit 11 such as a keyboard and a mouse, a display unit (not shown) such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and an apparatus main body including the computer. And. The control device 1 receives a color reference storage unit 16 (reference value storage unit) that stores a color reference as a reference value determined for the reference color, and a color patch P measured by the colorimeter 3 to receive a color reference. Compared with the color reference stored in the reference storage means 16, the pass / fail judgment means 17 for judging pass / fail of the output color output from the image output apparatus 2 and the image data transmitted from the work terminal 4 are transmitted via the network N. Communication means 18 for receiving the image data, and an image data storage unit 13 for storing the received image data. Furthermore, a determination result storage unit 15 that stores the determination result of the pass / fail of the output color is provided. For example, when the image data transmitted from the work terminal 4 is output from the image output device 2, the determination result storage unit 15 is referred to. In the case of outputting the result of pass / fail judgment to the image data, the image composition means 14 for composing the data indicating the pass / fail of the output color to the image data, the composite image data is transmitted to the image output device 2 and based on the composite image data The image output control means 12 is provided for controlling to output an image based on the image data received from the work terminal 4 when the image output is controlled and no pass / fail judgment result is output.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to output the pass / fail determination result determined for the output color of the image output apparatus 2 so as to be visible.

(Output color pass / fail judgment procedure and pass / fail judgment result output procedure)
Next, an output color pass / fail determination procedure performed in the image output system will be described. In this example, the pass / fail judgment of the output color is performed using the reference color output from the image output apparatus.

  First, measurement of values of color characteristics such as the color and density of the reference color output from the image output apparatus 2 will be described. However, in the present embodiment, a color patch P including a plurality of colors is output as a reference color, and the density, specifically, Dc (cyan density), Dm (magenta density), Dy () for each color of the color patch. Yellow density), Dv (visual density), and color system values, specifically, L * a * b * values in the CIE L * a * b * color system are measured and used for the determination described later. Needless to say, as long as the color and density are indicated, the RGB density or the tristimulus values of X, Y, and Z in the XYZ color system may be used as the color system value.

  First, an example of the configuration of the color patch P described above will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the color patches P are, for example, C100%, M100%, Y100%, K100%, CMY100%, MY100%, CY100%, CM100%, W in order of numbers given for explanation. (White background), C50%, M50%, Y50%, K50%, CMY10%, CMY20%, CMY40%, CMY70%, 17 colors are arranged in a row. In addition, at the time of measurement using the measurement screen 21 described later, the measurement is performed in the order of the attached numbers. In this example, the color patch P has 17 colors, but it is sufficient that there is at least one color as a reference color used for pass / fail determination. In this example, both the density and the color system value are measured as the color characteristic values, but either the density or the color system value may be used.

  Further, the color reference stored in the color reference storage unit 16 will be described. The color reference is indicated by a predetermined range of color characteristic values such as density or color difference for the reference color as shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows Dc, Dm, Dy, and Dv as color standards for C100%, M100%, Y100%, and K100% for each type of recording paper (only dedicated paper in FIG. 3). . In this example, the color reference is set to 100% of CMYK, that is, a solid density, but a halftone density, a color difference from the L * a * b * value of the reference color L * a * b * color system, etc. Any or a combination of these may be used.

  Furthermore, an example of an output color pass / fail determination procedure using the color patch P will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an output color pass / fail determination procedure using the color patch P. The operator operates the input means 11 such as a keyboard and a mouse of the control device 1 to display the measurement screen 100 shown in FIG. 5 as an example on the display means (step S101, hereinafter “step S101” is “S101”). (This is also the same for the other steps.) Then, the operator operates the input means 11 to input the device name indicating the image output device 2 in the input field 101, and the device indicating the device type and performance such as “device type” and “device model” of the image output device 2. When the type is selected in the input field 102 and the recording paper type used for output is selected from the respective pull-down menus in the input field 103 (pre-registered contents are displayed in a selectable manner in the pull-down menu), and the measurement key 104 is clicked. When the measurement value is in a standby state and the operator measures the color patches P with the colorimeter 3 in the order of numbers, the measurement values are displayed in the measurement value display field 105 in the order of numbers (S102). The stop key 106 is for stopping the measurement.

  When the above measurement is completed and the operator clicks the end key 107 (S103, Y), the pass / fail judgment unit 17 acquires the measurement result and the recording paper type, and the color reference storage unit 16 acquires the recording paper type acquired. Compared with the color reference, if the measured value of each color satisfies the density of the color reference, it is determined to be acceptable, and if there is even one color that does not satisfy it, it is determined to be unacceptable (S104). Then, the pass / fail judgment result is stored in the judgment result storage means 15 in association with the recording paper type (S105).

  Next, an outline of the image output procedure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The worker creates image data by executing application software on the work terminal 4 (S201), and further operates a mouse or the like to display a print screen 110 as shown in FIG. 7 as an example (S202). Then, by operating the mouse or the like, the device name indicating the output image output device 2 is selected from the pull-down menu of the input column 111, the recording paper size is input column 112, and the recording paper type used for output is selected from the pull-down menu of the input column 113. (The device name of the image output device 2, the output recording paper size and type are registered in advance, and the pre-registered contents are displayed in a selectable manner in the pull-down menu), and the output color pass / fail judgment result Is selected from the pull-down menu in the input field 115 and the print key 114 is clicked (S203), the device name, recording paper type, recording paper size, and output color indicating the output destination image output device 2 are selected. Whether or not to output a pass / fail judgment result is attached to the header portion of the image data, etc., and transmitted together with the image data to the control device 1 connected to the output image output device 2. (S204). The input field 115 of the print screen 110 constitutes a selection input unit of the present invention.

  The control device 1 receives the transmitted image data (S205, Y) and stores it in the image data storage unit 13 (S206). When outputting the pass / fail judgment result of the output color (Y in S207), the image composition unit 14 refers to the header portion of the image data, discriminates the recording paper type, and refers to the determination result storage unit 15. Then, the pass / fail judgment result for the recording paper type is acquired (S208). Then, the data is combined with the image data so that the pass / fail determination result acquired at a predetermined position when the image data is output is output so as to be visible (S209). Then, the synthesized image data is sent to the image output control means 12, and the image output control means 12 causes the image output device 2 to output the synthesized image data on the recording paper of the designated recording paper type. Control (S210). The image output device 2 outputs an image in which the pass / fail determination result is synthesized so as to be visible. If the output color pass / fail judgment result is not output (S207, N), the image output control means 12 outputs the received image data on the recording paper of the designated recording paper type. Is controlled (S211).

  In the above description, the pass / fail judgment result is output to be visible, but in addition to the pass / fail judgment result, the date and time when the judgment is performed, the measured value at the time of judgment, or the difference from the color reference is output. You may make it do. In this case, the determination result storage unit 15 acquires the date and time of determination, the measurement value at the time of determination, or the difference from the color reference from the pass / fail determination unit 17 and associates it with the pass / fail determination result. Store it. However, the difference from the color reference is calculated by the pass / fail determination means 17. Further, the color reference may be further added and output. In this case, the image composition unit 14 refers to the color reference storage unit 16 in addition to the determination result storage unit 15 to acquire the color reference, or the determination result. What is necessary is just to memorize | store in the storage means 15 corresponding to a pass / fail judgment result. Further, the measured value and the color reference can be represented by a density or a color system value, and the difference from the color reference can be represented by a density difference or a color difference. Here, FIG. 8 shows an example in which the pass / fail judgment result or the like is output so as to be visible.

  It is also possible to configure the image output system of the present invention with an image output device provided with each means of the control device 1 described above.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described. In the following, detailed description of the configuration substantially similar to that of the first embodiment will be omitted, and different points will be mainly described.

(System configuration)
First, the control configuration of the image output system according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram illustrating a system configuration of the image output system according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the image output system includes a control device 1, an image output device 2, and a colorimeter 3 (in FIG. 9, 1a, 1b, 1c, 2a, 2b, respectively) for each of a plurality of remote locations. 2c and 3a, 3b, 3b, 3c) are installed, each control device 1 is connected to the network, and the pass / fail of the output color output from each image output device 2 is determined, and the pass / fail determination result is determined. A management server 5 provided as information is provided.

  The management server 5 is a so-called computer, and includes input means such as a keyboard and a mouse, display means such as a CRT and an LCD, and an apparatus main body including the server. Further, the management server 5 receives the color reference storage unit 16 for storing the color reference and the measured value of the color patch P by the colorimeter 3 by the communication unit 19 via the network N and stores it in the color reference storage unit 16. Compared with the stored color reference, it is provided with a pass / fail determination means 17 for determining the pass / fail of the output color output from the image output apparatus 2 and a determination result storage means 15 for storing the pass / fail determination result. Further, the communication unit 19 has a function as a determination information transmission unit that transmits determination information in response to an inquiry about a pass / fail determination result from the control device 1.

  The work terminal 4 displays a print screen for executing image output, selects a desired image output device, and designates a recording paper material, a recording paper size, and the like used for output in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Then, it has a function of attaching to the header portion of the image data and transmitting the image data together with the image data to the control device 1 connected to the desired image output device.

  In the control device 1, the communication unit 18 functions as a measurement value transmission unit that transmits the measurement value of the color patch P by the colorimeter 3, inquires the pass / fail determination result to the management server 5, and receives determination information indicating the pass / fail determination result. A function as a determination information receiving unit that receives from the management server 5 is provided.

  With such a configuration, the output colors of the plurality of image output devices connected to the network N are determined, the pass / fail determination results are centrally managed, and the pass / fail determination results determined for the output colors by each image output device are visually recognized. It is possible to output as possible.

(Output color pass / fail judgment procedure and pass / fail judgment result output procedure)
First, the color reference stored in the color reference storage unit 16 will be described. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the color reference of the present embodiment is shown in a predetermined density or color difference range for a predetermined color for each apparatus type and each recording paper type. In FIG. 10, the target device type is a printing machine, DDCP, or inkjet printer, and for each device type, for each recording paper type, C100%, M100%, Y100%, K100%, Dc, Dm, Dy and Dv are defined as color standards.

  Furthermore, an example of an output color pass / fail determination procedure using the color patch P will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an output color pass / fail determination procedure using the color patch P. The operator operates the input unit 11 such as a keyboard or a mouse of the control device 1 to display the measurement screen 100 shown in FIG. 5 as an example on the display unit (S301). Then, the operator operates the input means 11 to input the device name indicating the image output device 2 in the input field 101, the device type of the image output device 2 in the input field 102, and the recording paper type used for output in the input field 103. Select from each pull-down menu (pre-registered contents are displayed in the pull-down menu so that they can be selected), and click the measurement key 104 to enter the standby state for the measurement value. When P is measured in numerical order, the measured values are displayed in numerical order in the measured value display field 105 (S302). The stop key 106 is for stopping the measurement.

  When the measurement is completed and the operator clicks the end key 107 (S303, Y), the device name, device type, recording paper type, and measurement value are transmitted to the management server 5 via the network N (S304). ). The management server 5 receives this (S305, Y), and the pass / fail determination means 17 compares the received color reference for the device type and recording paper type received by the color reference storage means 16, and the measured value of each color is the density of the color reference. Is satisfied, it is determined to be acceptable, and if even one color is not satisfied, it is determined to be unacceptable (S306). Then, the acceptance / rejection determination result is stored in the determination result storage means 15 in a configuration as shown in FIG. 12, for example, in association with the device name, device type, and recording paper type indicating the image output device 2 (S307).

  Next, an outline of the image output procedure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. As in the first embodiment, the control device 1 determines whether or not to output a device name, a recording paper type, a recording paper size, and an output color pass / fail determination result indicating the output destination image output device 2. The received image data is received (S401, Y) and stored in the image data storage unit 13 (S402). When outputting the pass / fail judgment result of the output color (S403, Y), the image composition means 14 refers to the header portion of the image data, discriminates the recording paper type, and is connected to the image output device 2 connected thereto. The management server 5 is inquired of the result of pass / fail judgment of the recording paper type determined by the device name via the network N (S404). The management server 5 receives this inquiry (S405, Y), searches the determination result storage means 15 with the received apparatus name and recording paper type, and transmits the corresponding pass / fail determination result to the control apparatus 1 as the determination information to the network N. (S406). Then, the control unit 1 receives the determination information (S407, Y), and the image composition unit 14 can visually recognize the pass / fail determination result indicated by the determination information acquired at a predetermined position when outputting the image data. The data is combined with the image data so as to be output (S408). Then, the synthesized image data is sent to the image output control means 12, and the image output control means 12 causes the image output device 2 to output the synthesized image data on the recording paper of the designated recording paper type. Control is performed (S409). The image output device 2 outputs an image in which the pass / fail determination result is synthesized so as to be visible. If the output color pass / fail judgment result is not output (S403, N), the image output control means 12 outputs the received image data on the recording paper of the designated recording paper type. Is controlled (S410).

  Further, in addition to the pass / fail determination result, when outputting the date and time when the determination is performed, the measurement value at the time of determination, or the difference from the color reference, these may be transmitted together with the pass / fail determination result as determination information. In addition, when a color reference is further added and output, the color reference may be transmitted as determination information together with the pass / fail determination result.

1 is a functional block diagram showing a system configuration of an image output system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a color patch. It is a figure which shows an example of the color reference | standard stored in the color reference | standard storage means shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the pass / fail judgment procedure of the output color which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the display means of the control apparatus shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the image output procedure which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the display means of the work terminal shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the output in the image output system which concerns on this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of the image output system of 2nd Embodiment concerning this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the color reference | standard stored in the color reference | standard storage means shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the pass / fail judgment procedure of the output color of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the pass / fail determination result stored in the determination result storage means shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the image output procedure of 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Control apparatus 2 Image output device 3 Colorimeter 4 Work terminal 5 Management server 11 Input means 12 Image output control means 13 Image data storage part 14 Image composition means 15 Judgment result storage means 16 Color reference storage means 17 Pass / fail judgment means 18, 19 Communication means N Network

Claims (14)

An image output system including an image output device that outputs a color image to a recording medium based on image data,
A reference value storage means for storing a reference value of the color characteristic defined for the reference color;
Measuring means for measuring the value of the color characteristic of the reference color output by the image output device;
Pass / fail determination means for comparing the measurement value of the reference color measured by the measurement means with the reference value stored in the reference value storage means,
Determination result storage means for storing the pass / fail determination result;
Image output control means for controlling the image output device to output a color image based on image data to the recording medium and to output the stored pass / fail judgment result in a visually recognizable manner. Image output system. An image output system including an image output device that outputs color images to a plurality of types of recording media based on image data,
A reference value storage means for storing a reference value of a color characteristic determined for each type of the recording medium with respect to a reference color;
Measuring means for measuring a value of a color characteristic of a reference color output to each type of recording medium by the image output device;
A pass / fail decision is made by comparing the measured value of the reference color of each type of recording medium measured by the measuring means with the reference value of each type of recording medium stored in the reference value storage means. Means,
Determination result storage means for storing the type of the recording medium and the pass / fail determination result in association with each other;
A color image based on image data is output to the image output device using any one of the plurality of types of recording media, and the stored pass / fail judgment result of the type of the used recording medium is output in a visible manner. And an image output control means for controlling the image output to be controlled. The determination result storage means further stores incidental information related to the pass / fail determination result in association with each other,
3. The image output system according to claim 1, wherein the image output control unit controls the image output apparatus to output the incidental information in a visually recognizable manner in addition to the pass / fail determination result.   The supplementary information includes the date and time when the pass / fail determination is performed, the measurement value used for the pass / fail determination, the reference value used for the pass / fail determination, or the measurement value used for the pass / fail determination and the reference value used for the pass / fail determination. The image output system according to claim 3, wherein the image output system is at least one or a plurality of values indicating a difference between the first and second values. A selection input means for inputting a selection as to whether or not to output the pass / fail determination result in a visible manner;
5. The image output system according to claim 1, wherein the image output control unit performs the control when a selection for visually observing the pass / fail determination result is input by the selection input unit. 6. An image output system that includes a plurality of image output devices that are installed at each site and output a color image to a recording medium based on image data,
A reference value storage means connected to the plurality of image output devices via a network and storing a reference value of a color characteristic determined for a reference color for each device type of the plurality of image output devices; and from the image output device side The measurement value obtained by measuring the color characteristic value of the reference color output from each image output device to be transmitted and the device type of each image output device are received, and the received measurement value and the reference value are received. Pass / fail determination means for comparing the received reference values of the respective device types stored in the storage means to determine pass / fail, and determination result storage means for storing the image output device and the pass / fail determination result in association with each other. And accepting an inquiry about the pass / fail judgment result for the image output device from the image output device side, A management server having determination information transmission means for transmitting determination information indicating a fixed result, and a pass / fail determination result indicated by the received determination information while outputting a color image based on image data to the recording medium in the image output device. An image output system characterized in that the image is output so as to be visible. An image output system including a plurality of image output devices installed at each site and outputting color images to a plurality of types of recording media based on image data,
A reference value storage unit connected to the plurality of image output devices via a network, and storing a reference value of a color characteristic determined for each type of the recording medium for a reference color for each device type of the plurality of image output devices; Each of the image output devices transmitted from the image output device side measures the value of the color characteristic of the reference color output to each type of recording medium by the measuring means, and the image output device used for the measurement. Accepting the device type and the type of the recording medium, and comparing the received measurement values with the reference value of the received recording medium type of the received device type stored in the reference value storage means. Pass / fail judgment means, a judgment result storage means for storing the image output device, the type of the recording medium, and the pass / fail judgment result in association with each other, and the image output Accepts an inquiry about the result of pass / fail judgment on the type of recording medium used for output by the image output device from the device side, and transmits judgment information indicating the result of pass / fail judgment on the type of recording medium of the image output device of the inquiry A management server having determination information transmission means for performing,
An image output system, wherein the image output device outputs a color image based on image data to the recording medium and outputs a pass / fail determination result indicated by the received determination information in a visually recognizable manner. The determination result storage means further stores incidental information related to the pass / fail determination result in association with each other,
The transmitted determination information further indicates the incidental information,
The image output system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the image output control means outputs the incidental information in a visible manner in addition to the pass / fail judgment result.   The supplementary information includes the date and time when the pass / fail determination is performed, the measurement value used for the pass / fail determination, the reference value used for the pass / fail determination, or the measurement value used for the pass / fail determination and the reference value used for the pass / fail determination. The image output system according to claim 8, wherein the image output system is one or a plurality of values indicating a difference between the first and second values. A selection input means for inputting a selection as to whether or not to output the pass / fail determination result in a visible manner;
The image output system according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the output is performed when a selection for visually confirming the pass / fail determination result is input by the selection input unit. An image output method in an image output system including an image output device that outputs a color image to a recording medium based on image data,
Storing a reference value of the color characteristic defined for the reference color;
Measuring a value of a color characteristic of a reference color output by the image output device;
Comparing the measured value of the measured reference color with the stored reference value to determine pass / fail;
Storing the pass / fail judgment result;
Controlling the image output device to output a color image based on image data to the recording medium and to output the stored pass / fail judgment result in a visually recognizable manner. Method. An image output method in an image output system including an image output device that outputs a color image to a plurality of types of recording media based on image data,
Storing a reference value of a color characteristic determined for each type of the recording medium with respect to a reference color;
Measuring a value of a color characteristic of a reference color output by the image output device to each type of recording medium;
Comparing the measured reference color measurement value of each type of recording medium with the stored reference value of each type of recording medium, and determining pass / fail;
Storing the type of the recording medium and the pass / fail determination result in association with each other;
A color image based on image data is output to the image output device using any one of the plurality of types of recording media, and the stored pass / fail judgment result of the type of the used recording medium is output in a visible manner. And an image output method characterized by comprising: An image output method in an image output system that includes a plurality of image output devices that are installed at each site and output a color image to a recording medium based on image data,
In a management server connected to the plurality of image output devices via a network,
Storing a reference value of a color characteristic defined for a reference color for each device type of the plurality of image output devices;
Receiving a measurement value obtained by measuring a value of a color characteristic of a reference color output from each image output device transmitted from the image output device side and a device type of each image output device;
Comparing the received measurement values with the stored reference values of the received device types, and determining pass / fail;
Storing the image output device and the pass / fail determination result in association with each other;
Receiving an inquiry about a pass / fail determination result for the image output device from the image output device side;
Transmitting determination information indicating a pass / fail determination result for the inquired image output device, and
In the image output device,
An image output method comprising: outputting a color image based on image data to the recording medium and outputting a pass / fail determination result indicated by the received determination information in a visually recognizable manner. An image output method in an image output system including a plurality of image output devices installed at each site and outputting color images to a plurality of types of recording media based on image data,
In a management server connected to the plurality of image output devices via a network,
Storing a reference value of a color characteristic determined for each type of the recording medium with respect to a reference color for each device type of the plurality of image output devices;
Measurement values obtained by measuring the color characteristic values of the reference colors output from the respective image output apparatuses to the respective types of recording media transmitted from the image output apparatus side, and the apparatus of the image output apparatus used for the measurement Receiving the type and type of recording medium;
Comparing each received measurement value with the stored reference type value of the received recording medium of the received apparatus type stored;
Storing the image output device, the type of the recording medium, and the pass / fail determination result in association with each other;
Receiving an inquiry of a pass / fail judgment result about the type of recording medium used by the image output device from the image output device side;
Transmitting determination information indicating a pass / fail determination result for the type of the recording medium of the inquiry image output apparatus, and
In the image output device,
An image output method comprising: outputting a color image based on image data to the recording medium and outputting a pass / fail determination result indicated by the received determination information in a visually recognizable manner.

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